Charlottetown man facing multiple child sex offence charges, police say

A 22-year-old Charlottetown man faces several charges including child luring and sexual assault, the city's police force says.

Charlottetown Police Services said in a news release that they were told on Jan. 30 that a female minor was being sexually exploited by an older man in the city. 

Police identified the suspect and arrested him on April 8. 

Zachary Stephen MacNeill faces seven charges, including: 

• Luring a child, contrary to section 172.1(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada. 
• Sexual interference (151)
• Sexual assault (271)
• Invitation to sexual touching (152)
• Making sexually explicit material available to a child, contrary to section 171.1(1)(b)
• Every person commits an offence who, by a means of telecommunication, agrees with a person, or makes an arrangement with a person, to commit an offence with someone believed to be under the age of 16, contrary to section 172.2(1)(b)
• Transmitting child pornography — written material, contrary to section 163.1(3)

MacNeill has been released from custody and will appear in provincial court in Charlottetown to answer to the charges on May 8. 

Charlottetown man faces 7 charges related to sexual exploitation of a girl under 16

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Twenty-two-year-old Zachary Stephen MacNeil is facing seven charges, including luring a child, sexual assault and making sexually explicit material available to a child. Charlottetown police say it all started with a tip from the public at the end of January. CBC's Tony Davis reports.

"Charlottetown Police Services' priority is protecting children from online predators who misuse digital spaces to carry out harmful acts," the news release states.

"We encourage all residents to stay watchful, as understanding and awareness are essential for safeguarding children in the digital world."